Floods cause difficulties in north, south on alert

While the swollen Red River wreaks havoc in southern Manitoba, several Alberta groups have kept vigilant flood watches in areas that are traditionally plagued by spring floods.

Hardest hit in Alberta have been the Fort McMurray, Fort Vermilion and peace River districts while the communities of Driftpile, Wabasca and Peigan Reserve have been spared, but are on alert.

At Fort McMurray, Ella Johnson, the executive director of the Nistawoyou Friendship Centre explains that, "a lot of our Elders that live at the Clearwater Trailer Court were indisposed" and had to move out of their homes due to flooding. Such families' s the Bird's, Gladues, Pacquets and others are just a few victims in Fort McMurray where 171 homes and businesses were evacuated

In the province's west, Fort Vermilion, Garden River, and Tall Creek residents were evacuated for a few days, but are back in their homes, reports Sonya Kobelsky, director of High Level Native Friendship Centre.

The worst appears to be over, however. Water levels have tapered off in Fort McMurray, Fort Vermilion, Garden River and Tall Creek. Although there is no immediate danger to the communities of Driftpile, Wabasca and the Peigan Reserve, residents are holding their breath and praying they don't get deluged with rain. Combined with spring run-off rain could rise levels to dangerous heights

"So far it's okay," said Peigan's band manager, Peter Yellowhorn. And, John Gladue, the band administrator at Driftpile claims water levels "are normalthe only worry is if there is a big rain."